Cessna 210B N9597X accident near Pueblo, Colorado

Probable cause

The fatigue failure of the right main landing gear hydraulic actuator, which resulted in a loss of hydraulic fluid that prevented the pilot from lowering the landing gear to the fully extended position.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that during landing gear retraction after takeoff, he heard a “pop” from the rear cockpit area, and the landing gear retraction handle did not return to the center position as expected. He attempted to extend the landing gear, but they would not extend. He performed the emergency extension procedures; the landing gear doors opened, and the landing gear came out of their respective landing gear wells. However, only the nose landing gear locked into the down position, and the main landing gear remained partially extended.

During the landing, the airplane skidded to a stop and incurred substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer and elevator.

Postaccident examination of the airplane found the right hydraulic actuator had a fatigue crack that initiated along the retaining ring groove of the actuator that rendered the actuator inoperable and resulted in a loss of hydraulic fluid from the system. Due to the loss of fluid, neither the primary system nor the emergency system could lower and lock all the landing gear in place for landing.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN24LA018 for the full record.